Interview with the GM of Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbour - Chesapeake City, MD

If you're looking for a destination that meets every boater’s dream, then 43 North Marina is the place to be. Tucked away in Central New York State on Oneida Lake, this full-service marina is just north of Syracuse.

It’s surrounded by some of the Empire State’s finest natural attractions. “Whether it’s scuba diving in the crystal-clear water of the Thousand Islands, vineyard touring in the Finger Lakes, deep-sea salmon fishing on Lake Ontario or hiking mountains in the Adirondacks, lots of activities are nearby,” says Kevin Walma, general manager of 43 North.

Outdoor fun-seekers at Oneida Lake can explore the stunning scenery in its parks, beaches and islands. Local anglers know it is ranked among the top 20 bass-fishing locations, hosting many master bass championships and teeming with other tasty swimmers such as walleye and perch.

As part of the Erie Canal system, 43 North is along the Great Loop Trail. Boaters heading East can access the Hudson River to visit New York City. Cruising westward on the canal brings guests to the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

But 43 North is more than just another pretty place. It’s deeply committed to servicing boaters’ needs. The marina has 178 in-water slips, 235-rack valet storage, a 14-acre site with two hoists lifting up to 35 tons, and two forklifts supporting up to 30 feet and 30,000 pounds. Its 500-foot linear pier welcomes transient vessels that navigate the Erie Canal system. On-site you find amenities such as laundry, Wi-Fi, a picnic and grilling area, fuel, and ice.

Services include a certified Mercury and MerCruiser shop, technicians for Suzuki and Rotax engines, and a 6,000 square foot glass showroom with new, used and brokerage boat sales. On the property, South Bay Sales can hook you up with sailboat, kayak or paddleboard sales and rentals, and the team at Fast Forward works wonders with fiberglass repairs.

The marina offers transportation to nearby hotels, and several restaurants are within walking distance, such as Barado’s on the Water and 916 near the highway bridge. Launching this season is the new Syracuse CareFree boat club and pontoon rentals. Future plans include a tiki bar and pool.

Off the coast of Massachusetts, this dazzling crescent-shaped island in Nantucket Sound was once the whaling capital of the world. It now holds a piece of history preserved along the docks of the harbor’s only marina.

Where dozens of whale ships and schooners anchored during the booming whaling era of the mid-1700 to 1830s is now Nantucket Boat Basin’s 240-slip full-service marina and premier destination. The property is made up of only wet slips and accommodates vessels ranging from 20 to 200 feet.

Amenities include fuel dock service, slip-side cable TV, laundry facilities, complimentary pump-out, oil and ice, as well as 18 baths and showers located throughout the site’s three wharves. Convenient slip-side check-in is also a plus.

Get cozy and stay for a while at the charming waterside cottages and lofts where you can request to dock right outside of your room. The classic cedar-shingled architecture will make you feel at home as you relax on decks lined with freshly bloomed foliage.

In addition to charters and recreational boating rentals, enjoy local activities including watersports, shopping, historic sightseeing and a lovely dining scene. Take a dinghy ride or short walk to go for a refreshing swim at one of the local beaches.

Just steps from the marina, grab delicious grub at Nantucket Lobster Trap or B-ACK Yard BBQ. The Old South Wharf offers fresh seafood at Slip 14 restaurant or Japanese cuisine at Bar Yoshi. Over at Straight Wharf, enjoy fine dining spots including the oyster bar at Cru, or the historic Straight Wharf Restaurant.

Surrounded by a region rich in history from whaling capital to world-class boating destination, the marina’s guests explore local attractions that showcase a prelude to the past. Museums, lighthouses and landmarks along the historic district are among many sites to see. Visit the Historic Mitchell House and science exhibits of the Maria Mitchell Association, as well as the Nantucket Whaling Museum for a full history of the area.

Back at the marina, the concierge staff will assist you with making restaurant reservations to booking scooter rentals, transportation, fishing and sailing charters, and even pet and babysitting services.

“We set ourselves apart with exceptional guest services, amenities and our knowledgeable, approachable staff. Each team member works to ensure our guests’ experiences are tailored to fit their unique needs and expectations,” says Christina Martin, director of marina operations. “Season after season we look forward to welcoming back our many returning guests and introducing new guests to all that Nantucket Harbor has to offer.”

Be sure to check out the Nantucket Daffodil Festival held during the first spring bloom in April and Nantucket Race Week in August.

Only accessible by boat, Bitter End Yacht Club’s family-owned destination has been in business for 50 years. As you cruise Virgin Gorda’s gorgeous coastal stretch along the British Virgin Islands, the yacht club is situated on a secluded island and feels like a tiny nautical town.

The property was decimated by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and took four years to rebuild, finally reopening in 2021. With help from the community, the marina worked meticulously to maintain the legacy and history of the yacht club. By chance, some signage and maritime artifacts were salvaged from the storm and now appear in art galleries in the property’s clubhouse.

The full-service facility offers deep-draft dockage for up to 26 vessels, accommodating yachts up to 240’. The marina also offers 72 mooring balls and catamaran slips to accommodate wide beams. A few charming cottages are available on-site for lodging, with plans to build more in the future.

Amenities include a fuel dock, complimentary Wi-Fi, free launch service from all shoreside activities and a second floor mariner’s lounge and library where guests can play cards, read books and enjoy family friendly activities. Recently opened this winter, The Quarterdeck lounge boasts a selection of curated rums from across the globe and a 180-degree view of the Caribbean.

Sailors can be found socializing at The Buoy Room, the on-site restaurant offering cocktails and shared small plates of Caribbean cuisine. The Reef Sampler beach bar, a sunken vessel that was the workforce of the club fleet for many years, is now transformed into a bar perched on Marina Beach. Recently revived this winter, the formal yacht club dining room, The Clubhouse, was founded in 1969 and was the first restaurant bar in the BVI’s North Sound.

The marina provides any provision or dry good you could imagine from fresh oven-baked pizzas to The Market’s pastas, produce and fish straight off the boat. For on-site retail, The Reeftique has become a premier BVI destination and fashion boutique with unique apparel, accessories, jewelry and gifts.

In tandem with Reeftique and help from the community, the marina launched Bitter End Foundation right after the hurricane, hosting fundraisers, events, auctions and environmental initiatives over the years. A percentage of retail profits continue to fund the foundation to help the community.

Watersports are the heart and soul of the marina, which offers everything from sailing and windsurfing lessons to regattas and other activities. The outdoor space along Marina Beach is a lively hub for games such as cornhole and giant Jenga, as well as Boston Whaler boat rentals.

Many guests feel that Bitter End is their home away from home. “We feel less like a resort hotel and more like a global community of kindred spirits with people who love and are called to the sea, are active and have a sense of adventure,” says President Kerri Jaffe.

The marina hosts activities such as party games, tug-of-war, hermit crab races and live local Caribbean music. Many regattas are held through the year, along with other events during the festive season, such as the lighted boat parade and exclusive dining experiences.

The third generation of the Hokin family currently owns the marina and maintains the longtime spirit and dedication to the community with what they now call “Bitter End 2.0.”

“It was a commitment to our global maritime community, many who are multi-generational,” says Jaffe. “Something really unique and special about Bitter End is the families — the grandfathers, the fathers and the grandchildren who have been introduced over the last 50 years and come back every year, and some even return more than once a year.”